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Thursday, February 28, 2013

Tidbits about Lynn

We’ve reached the end of the month and it is my turn to introduce myself. I was born in Western Mass but grew up on Martha’s Vineyard. Yeah, I know, tough life, huh? Seriously, I love the Vineyard and it’s home to me. But I knew when I met my husband that we would be leaving the Vineyard to begin our lives in God’s call for the two of us. Paul is a pastor, and not all pastors have the advantage of staying in one church for their entire ministry. Our call has placed us in five churches over 32 years and, if the Lord allows, we will retire in our current position.

My passion for writing came at 40. At the time our youngest was being homeschooled through the last years of high school. I’d written several articles and published a couple books about using the Internet to help with homeschooling your kids. I’m kinda a geek when it comes to computers and such. But that’s another tidbit you can set aside and we’ll go back to why I am writing.

I was not what you would call a natural reader or writer when I was in school. In fact, I still have problems with certain grammar rules—and don’t get me started on punctuation. So, for the Lord to take a completely inadequate person in natural talent ability and turn me around to become a writer, still floors me. And, in a nutshell, that is what happened. God gave me a passion to write stories that would not only inspire and entertain but that would hopefully challenge the reader to go deeper in their relationship with Him. After my first novel, Sea Escape, was published I heard from a couple of the readers that sent the message home to me that I AM doing what God called me to do. The first was a letter from a rapist in prison who thanked me for writing the book because, for the first time in his life, he now realized he’d been wrong. Here he was sitting behind bars, convicted of rape, and still believing he did nothing wrong. I am humbled that the Lord would use my humble little book in such a strong and profound way. The second was from a gal who had been date raped and realized for the first time she was not at fault. Her parents blamed her, her husband blamed her and, most importantly, she blamed herself. God used that little book to convince her that the sin was done to her and she was free from any and all guilt. Talk about the Wow factor in why I write the books I write…you can’t get more powerful inspiration than that.

I love research and I love writing historicals and contemporaries. I also dabble in suspense. Currently I am working with my hubby on a seven book fantasy series for our grandchildren. Who knows if they’ll be published. It’s basically a fun thing to do with my husband for the grandkids. We have eight, by the way. We have three children, two who are married…giving us two more in our quiver, and our youngest son, Tim, who died a year and a half ago. I pause to say, yes, it is a terrible loss and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemies. But I am confident in Tim’s position in heaven and I know I will see him again and get to wrap my arms around him. God does supply all of our needs, including the pain of grief and the encouragement of joy.

So, you know I’m married, have kids, 8 grands, I love research, growing up on the Vineyard and I was given a gift to write. I also love to cook—not bake—cook. My spice cabinet takes up more room than the canned goods, if that gives you a clue about my passion for cooking. I also love to travel, camp and take photos. So on that note I’ll let you go, and I look forward to my next post regarding the tidbits of history that make it into my novels.

Speaking of novels, my next novel to be released is titled “Courting Holly” and scheduled to be released in Oct. 2013. If you like historical tidbits you might like to visit my blog 19th Century Historical Tidbits. You can also follow me on twitter @LynnColeman or you can friend me on Facebook.

In His grip,
Lynn
Below is a picture of some of my family. It is from the last Christmas our son, Tim, was able to spend with us. He's pictured in the rear on the right side of the tree.

30 comments:

Lynn, so nice to meet you and learn a little bit about you. And thank you for sharing the photo that includes your dear Tim.Your book Sea Escape must have a truly powerful message in it and I am so happy it helped others. I am looking forward to more posts from you. God bless.

Lynn, I've been watching your tweets for some time now and love all the little tidbits you share. I'm totally grammar challenged. I've learned more from home schooling my kids than I did in High School and college. I do know what prepositional phrases are. ;) Like you, I know without a doubt God has called me to write.

I've been enjoying reading through each of your author introductions since late last week, which is when I discovered this wicked sweet blog! :) I wouldn't worry about the little particulars {ie: grammar, spelling, punctuation} when it comes to writing,... those can easily be mended by a kind editor or copy editor,... you see, those aren't my strengths either, and being dsylexic, I knew to focus on my strengths and let what confused me drop by the wayside! :) As you write, I think you'll see that it all knits together in the end! :) :)

I have met ministers over the years that always had hoped to have a home church as they were growing a bit tired of travelling every 3 to 5 years, so I can sympathise with what you were saying about never knowing where a pastor can lay his hat! :)

You've been blessed by powerful reader testimonies, and I think that those are two of the best compliments that you could ever receive! Wow is right!

Ooh, you dig spices too!? I was writing Ms. Rogers all about the spices I love to use just the other day, as she mentioned she would be posting about cooking... perhaps you'd like to know what they are too!? Here is what I was sharing with her:

Cooking is something that came into my life when I was twentynine and it has sparked a wicked sweet journey of discovering new recipes + new cultures of cooking! My favourite spices and herbs are Arabic and Indian -- garam marsala, chinese five spice*, turmeric, curry powder, cardamom, garlic, nutmeg, ginger, paprika, cloves, tarragon, cilantro, coriander, cumin! :) I'd be thrilled to see what tidbits and historical slices of cooking history you share with us as this blog kicks off the ground! :)

By the way, my family & I buy garlic in droves!! At least 5 to 8 full heads at a time! :) Yet, I've counted up to 15 in the refresherator! :) Laughs.

*I am not sure where this spice belongs, but I like it!

What are your favourites!? Do you grow your own herbs? Do you prefer the pre bottled or the loose herbs/spices {such as the kind at the Fresh Market}? I always marvelled at how my friends over the years would always tell me that I eat "bland" food because I use sea salt instead of table salt/kosher salt and that I had to avoid black pepper due to allergies! After seeing "Chopped" on Food Network, I'm beginning to understand as whenever a contestant uses a spice or herb instead of salt the judges seem to not enjoy the dish! :( Oyyy. Do you find this as well?

I look forward to your future posts and I must confess, the 19th century is one of the historical eras I like to read most!! I'm always picking up a book set there it would seem! :) Congratulations on the launch on such an exciting group blog! Cheers!

Jorie, I've never been diagnosed but I do battle with slight dyslexic tendencies. I have a kid who is dyslexic and dysgraphic. It is a challenge, even for as mild as what I deal with. Glad to know I'm not the only one.

I wanted to write you in length, which is why I went to your wordpress blog that is linked on the "About Us" page here!? I clicked the Contact Christina button and sent my email to you through there! I hope you receive it alright!

Hi Jorie,Thanks for commenting. I don't know that I have a "favorite" spice my spice of the year would have to be cumin. I love fresh basil and purchase plants. I don't have a green thumb so growing them is not my forte. In His grip,Lynn

What a blessing to get a peek into your life. To read how the Lord used you to reach those two people with your book. And I know there are countless untold stories about those who have read your books and been touched. what an honor and privilege to write for Him. Looking forward to your posts.

I am encouraged by reading your story, Lynn:-) My last three children are no longer being homeschooled(youngest is in gr.8), and for the past couple of years I've been working on my 1st Historical romantic suspense(with moments of God's supernatural realm). Just last fall I was able to work with a professional editor...I didn't think I'd be able to do that...but God came through with the money! So I'm finishing another round of rewrites now. Anyway, I was feeling discouraged that I've started writing so late(I'm in my early 40's)...but you said you were the same age when you started...so I am inspired to keep at it :-) BTW you should write a book about growing up in Martha's Vineyard...I've always wondered what it was like there :-) Great post..looking forward to more from you!

That's great, Elaine, stay focused on Him and why you're writing and He'll give the blessings to you whether it is publication or simply understanding more to encourage others. God uses all things to help us glorify Him.

I've enjoyed this post, Lynn. I admire your ministry priority in your writing. I appreciate all you do with your awesome website to share your expansive historical knowledge with other writers. It's a fantastic resource.

Hi Lynn nice to get to know you. Your comment about Marthas Vineyard went right over my head. I have heard of it but know nothing about it. Took me awhile to work out Western Mass is actually part of a state not a town. (Im an aussie). I am enjoying getting to know more authors.

Hi Jenny, sorry for the confusion. Western Mass is more in the country, however I was born in a city. The Vineyard is a great place to live and grow up. My hobby as a kid was sailing, which I did as soon as the water was warm enough until it was too cold to sail for the winter. I love the ocean. People who grow up on an Island depend upon one another a little more than some others and because it is a small island you get to know a lot of people.

Now with regard to the Island you live on. Australia is one of the places I would love to go. I loved the show Macleod's Daughters especially the first three seasons. We don't get much access to Aussie tv but I've found a few shows like Sea Patrol. Thanks for posting. I look forward to getting to know you too.

Oh so Marthas Vineyard is an island? I was thinking it was a wine making area. See I learnt something.Yes I live on a big island but not near the beach. we are about an hour from the ocean. MacLeod's Daughters was set in my state of South Australia but further north.

Yes it's an island off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The name was given by an explorer as a gift to his daughter Martha. He named it that from all the wild grapes he saw on the Island, thus the name Martha's Vineyard. It wasn't until the 70's that an actual Vineyard for growing grapes for wine and making the wine actually started on the Vineyard. I hear the wine is getting better, don't know, haven't tried it.

Nice to meet you, Lynn. Thank you for sharing your story and some lovely bits about your family. I do love to be able to put a story and people behind the names of authors. I'm looking forward to hearing more from you!

That's so cool to hear how your books have touched others in such a deep way. I enjoyed the picture of your family. I can't imagine having 8 grandkids. Must be fun and crazy at times. I just have one very precocious granddaughter. I'm glad you've joined us here on CFHS!

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